A train under the sea?
Yes! Two retired MARTA cars became part of an artificial reef off Georgia’s coast. An artificial reef is a structure people place in the sea to give marine life a place to live.
Cleaned before the trip
Workers removed hazardous materials and contaminants. The U.S. Coast Guard inspected the cars before they went into the water.
A ride on a barge
On December 21, 2023, the cars traveled by barge to Artificial Reef L. It is offshore from the Savannah area, east of Ossabaw Island. The cars were placed about 55 to 65 feet underwater.
New neighbors move in
In 2024, divers saw soft coral growing on the cars and nine species of game fish. The metal structure was made by people. The living things growing on it are natural!
What does “retired” mean?
A retired railcar has finished carrying passengers. These cars are not underwater trains for people to ride. They have a new purpose as habitat for sea creatures.
THINK LIKE A SCIENTIST
Why clean a railcar before putting it in the ocean?
Show me the answer
To remove harmful materials before the car becomes part of a marine habitat.